Abdominal Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment relates to an exercise machine, comprising a generally horizontal platform having an upper surface adapted for a user to recline thereon, a foot support pivotably attached to the platform with a mechanism for securing the user&#39;s feet to the platform, at least one pair of resistance straps attachable to the exercise machine at one or more locations on the platform, and at least one pair of routers adapted to interact with resistance straps.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application61/495,143 filed on Jun. 6, 2011, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an exercise machine or device. Moreparticularly, it relates to an exercise apparatus for performing sit-upsor crunches and other upper body exercises.

2. Related Art

The sit-up is the traditional exercise for improving the strength, tone,and appearance of abdominal muscles. However, traditional sit-ups werefound to cause lower back discomfort and even, in some cases, injuries.As a consequence, an abbreviated form of sit-ups known as crunchesreplaced traditional sit-ups. Replacing sit-ups with crunches helpedrelieve back problems caused by traditional sit-ups, but at the cost ofreduced effectiveness.

Various devices have been introduced to both reduce the negativeside-effects of crunches and make them more effective. However, theusefulness of such devices typically are limited to conventionalcrunches or very similar exercises and additional devices are needed toexercise any other muscle groups.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to an exercise machine, comprising agenerally horizontal platform having an upper surface adapted for a userto recline thereon, a foot support pivotably attached to the platformwith a mechanism for securing the user's feet to the platform, at leastone pair of resistance straps attachable to the exercise machine at oneor more locations on the platform, and at least one pair of routersadapted to interact with resistance straps.

These and other features and advantages of various embodiments ofsystems and methods according to this invention are described in, or areapparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplaryembodiments of various devices, structures, and/or methods according tothe present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according tothe present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference tothe following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anexercise machine according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an top plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a resistance strapadapter according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a foot platformaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a side plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with thefoot platform of FIG. 4 in a first position;

FIG. 5B is a side plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with thefoot platform of FIG. 4 in a second position;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 inuse for a first exemplary exercise;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 inuse for a second exemplary exercise;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 inuse for a third exemplary exercise; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 inuse for a first exemplary exercise.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.In certain instances, details that are not necessary to theunderstanding of the invention or render other details difficult toperceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, thatthe invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, an exercise apparatus according to thepresent disclosure comprises a base adapted to accommodate a user lyingback or sitting thereon, a rotating foot support with straps or othermechanisms for securely attaching the user's feet, resistance tubesdetachably connectable to the apparatus at a plurality of locations, andappendages that interact with the resistance tubing to adjust itsorientation. In various exemplary embodiments, the foot support isadjustable between an inclined position during use and a loweredposition for storage.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “head-end” refers to the endof the device proximate to the user's head when reclined. The term“foot-end” refers to the end of the device proximate to the user's feetwhere the foot support is located. The terms “right” and “left” are usedin the context of viewing the device from above with the head-enduppermost.

In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, an exercisemachine 100 according to the present disclosure has an elongated base101 with a low vertical profile. The bottom surface is adapted to reston a generally flat surface, such as a floor. The top surface 102includes an area adapted to comfortably and ergonomically support a userwho is lying on his back or sitting on the device 100. As shown in FIGS.6-9, the exercise machine 100 also includes a pair of resistance straps103 with a first end 104 (e.g., hooks or loops) adapted for detachablecoupling to the apparatus 100 at an anchor point 106 and a second end105 adapted to be grasped by the user (e.g., using handles). In variousexemplary embodiments, the resistance straps 103 comprise an elasticmaterial (e.g., rubber or other polymeric material).

In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4-5B, the exercisemachine includes foot support 110 with straps 111 or other means forsecuring the user's feet in place. This facilitates the performance ofexercises such as crunches. In various exemplary embodiments, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the foot support 110 is adjustable betweenat least one inclined position and a reclined position. The reclinedposition is intended primarily to lower the vertical profile of the footsupport 110 for more convenient storage. The foot support 110 is raisedto the inclined position during use to provide a more comfortable andeffective angle for the user's feet and ankles.

In various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B, the footsupport 110 pivots without substantially altering the incline of thefoot support 110. This facilitates adjusting the position of the legsrelative to the torso to more effectively work different abdominalmuscles or other areas.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate some of the different types of exercises that maybe performed with the disclosed exercise machine. In various exemplaryembodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, the resistance tubes 103 aredetachably coupled to the exercise machine 110 (e.g., at variouslocations 106 along its sides). By changing the attachment point 106,the user may alter the effective resistance from the resistance tubing.

In various exemplary embodiments, the exercise machine also includes apair of strap adapters 120 at each end. The tube adapters 120 are shapedwith various channels 121 to interact with the resistance tubes bypassing the tubes 103 around and/or through the adapters 120 todetermine the direction of resistance from the resistance tubes 103. Inthis manner, the resistance tubing 103 can be coupled to the exercisedevice to be used in a variety of ways to exercise various muscle groupsthroughout the body.

In various exemplary embodiments, the disclosed device has a low profileto facilitate storage (e.g., under a couch or bed). In various exemplaryembodiments, the device is also adapted to be hung on a wall hook orother protrusion (e.g., in a closet). In some exemplary embodiments, thedevice may be designed to fold across its length for storage ortransportation.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,”and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top”and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify variouselements as are oriented in the figures. It should be recognized thatthe orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending onthe application in which they are used.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joiningof two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining maybe stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may beachieved with the two members or the two members and any additionalintermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary bodywith one another or with the two members or the two members and anyadditional intermediate members being attached to one another. Suchjoining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable innature.

It should be appreciated that the construction and arrangement of theexercise machine, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, isillustrative only. While the exercise device, according to thisinvention, has been described in conjunction with the exemplaryembodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications,variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether knownor that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent.Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the exercise machine,according to this invention, as set forth above, are intended to beillustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, thedescription provided above is intended to embrace all known orlater-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements,and/or substantial equivalents.

1. An exercise machine, comprising: a generally horizontal platformhaving an upper surface adapted for a user to recline thereon; a footsupport pivotably attached to the platform with a mechanism for securingthe user's feet to the platform; at least one pair of elastic resistancestraps attachable to the exercise machine at one or more locations onthe platform; and at least one pair of routers adapted to interact withresistance straps.
 2. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the footsupport is adjustably positionable to at least one inclined position anda flat position.
 3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein theresistance tubes further comprise a connecting loop at a first end and ahandle at a second end.
 4. The exercise machine of claim 1 comprising afirst pair of routers at about the corners of a first end of theplatform and a second pair of routers at about the corners of a secondend of the platform.
 5. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein therouters comprise one or more curved channels adapted to interact withand direct the resistance straps.
 6. The exercise machine of claim 1wherein the exercise machine further comprise a plurality of connectionpoints for each resistance strap.